Hereditary Pancreatitis Related to SPINK-1 Mutation. Is There an Increased Risk of Developing Pancreatic Cancer?

It is thought that many of the idiopathic pancreatitis could have a genetic base. Approximately 50% of them correspond to CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene) and SPINK-1 (serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1) mutations. A recent study compares patients with acute pancreatitis and SPINK-1 mutation with patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis.

Irreversible Electroporation in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Aiming to Improve Overall Survival.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a non-thermic ablation therapy which has been proposed for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPC) as well as for the local control of other types of tumors (kidney or liver). Its use has been extended in the last few years worldwide. Its advantage over other ablation techniques is that it only affects the lipids bilayer of the cell membrane avoiding vascular damage.